The Mechanics of Depression ― Rejuvenating The Troubled Mind and accepting the Undying Natural Order

R3 Files Podcast ― The Success of Failure

In the final installment of this multi-part series entitled ‘The Mechanics of Depression,’ I will share several areas of guidance which have helped me at an individual level, to navigate the ongoing cycles of personal highs and lows. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list and certainly does not represent medical advice in any shape or form, however the guidance provided is based on real-life experience. Finally, in the concluding section, these guidance areas will be re-examined using the context of Henry David Thoreau’s philosophy of finding purpose and self-awareness, through the pursuit of solitude in nature.

• The first area of guidance is to change one’s perspective on the nature of depression. The earliest records of melancholia (the historical name given to modern day depression) date back to antiquity. This constancy means that generations before us have taken a different perspective on this vexed matter. Hence depression has become an entity by itself and therefore commands a long term strategy, as opposed to a short term approach.
• The second area of guidance is recognizing that depression has both drawbacks and benefits. The drawbacks of depression have been comprehensively discussed in previous installments, but the possible benefits related to depression are rarely discussed. Equally though, any insight generated from depression must be also be tempered with its destructive nature.
• The third area of guidance is to introduce a change of mindset to “possible cures” for depression. In particular managing one’s expectations, long term commitment and acceptance, in relation to any potential recovery.
• The fourth area of guidance concerns, how to manage one’s depression and initiate a relevant action plan. The aim being, to strengthen one’s resistance to depression so that it becomes less frequent and the low mood swings become much less severe.
• The fifth area of guidance examines the action steps required for managing depression. One notable example is to spend more time in nature because of its positive healing effects, such as reducing anger, fear, and stress.

In the final section, I re-examine the above ideas by juxtaposing them against the life and work of Henry David Thoreau, who firmly believed that nature and life are intertwined. Indeed, that man and nature were designed to co-exist together. Thoreau’s real genius was his proposal (or universal remedy) to lift himself (and later others) out of melancholy by harnessing the power of loneliness and solitude.